Eldred Boy

Popularity: — · Trend: → Stable

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EL-dred /ˈɛl.drɛd/

Origin: Old English; Germanic

Meaning: Old English: noble counsel; Germanic: brave advisor

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Eldred has its roots in Old English, deriving from the elements "æld" meaning "old" or "wise" and "ræd" meaning "counsel" or "advice." This etymology suggests a literal meaning of "old counsel" or "wise advisor." The name was recorded in various forms throughout the centuries, including as "Eldredus" in Latin texts, which reflects its transition from Old English into Latinized forms used in ecclesiastical contexts. The name entered the English vernacular during the early medieval period, becoming more prominent in the Anglo-Saxon era, particularly from the 7th century onward.

Historically, the name Eldred is associated with several notable figures. One of the earliest recorded bearers was Eldred, a 10th-century Anglo-Saxon nobleman, who is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Additionally, the name appears in various charters and legal documents from the period, underscoring its use among the nobility. The name also appears in the context of the church, with several saints and clerics bearing the name, contributing to its historical significance within Christian communities.

Culturally, Eldred has been linked to themes of wisdom and leadership, reflecting the qualities associated with its etymological roots. The name has been used in literature and historical texts, often symbolizing a figure of authority or guidance.

Its diminutive form, Eld, has also been noted in some contexts, though less frequently. The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its strong associations with wisdom and counsel, qualities that have been revered throughout history.

Famous people named Eldred

In this section, you will find notable people named Eldred. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Eldred who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Eldred who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Eldred Gregory L. Smith is an artist best known for his work in the field of fine arts and his contributions to the African American art community.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Eldred, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

EdmundAlfredGeraldHaroldWilfred

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Eldred. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

EldricEdgarAlfredEdwinEldonElmerElias

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Eldred was first seen in the United States in 1882.

Eldred has ranked as high as #1012 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, and Iowa.

In the past 5 years the name Eldred has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Eldred is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Eldred was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Eldred.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2012 6 6 0
2006 9 9 0
2001 6 6 0
2000 9 9 0
1998 7 7 0
1996 5 5 0
1995 5 5 0
1994 6 6 0
1993 10 10 0
1992 11 11 0
1991 6 6 0
1990 12 12 0
1989 10 10 0
1988 7 7 0
1987 11 11 0
1986 7 7 0
1985 10 10 0
1984 12 12 0
1983 12 12 0
1982 9 9 0
1981 14 14 0
1980 13 13 0
1979 10 10 0
1978 13 13 0
1977 11 11 0
1976 6 6 0
1975 20 20 0
1974 11 11 0
1973 16 16 0
1972 15 15 0
1971 19 19 0
1970 30 30 0
1969 22 22 0
1968 26 26 0
1967 30 30 0
1966 27 27 0
1965 22 22 0
1964 18 18 0
1963 27 27 0
1962 27 27 0
1961 31 31 0
1960 20 20 0
1959 36 36 0
1958 26 26 0
1957 49 49 0
1956 38 38 0
1955 28 28 0
1954 27 27 0
1953 34 34 0
1952 33 33 0
1951 30 30 0
1950 30 30 0
1949 25 25 0
1948 31 31 0
1947 42 37 5
1946 32 32 0
1945 29 29 0
1944 28 28 0
1943 26 26 0
1942 44 44 0
1941 59 51 8
1940 39 39 0
1939 65 60 5
1938 49 49 0
1937 61 53 8
1936 38 33 5
1935 56 56 0
1934 57 57 0
1933 67 58 9
1932 75 70 5
1931 85 80 5
1930 91 81 10
1929 97 90 7
1928 105 94 11
1927 101 95 6
1926 101 93 8
1925 110 102 8
1924 116 102 14
1923 132 118 14
1922 119 94 25
1921 168 122 46
1920 133 118 15
1919 101 92 9
1918 109 98 11
1917 131 120 11
1916 93 84 9
1915 113 102 11
1914 90 81 9
1913 68 62 6
1912 44 44 0
1911 30 22 8
1910 23 17 6
1909 13 13 0
1908 9 9 0
1907 8 8 0
1905 14 14 0
1904 9 9 0
1902 14 14 0
1901 5 5 0
1898 9 9 0
1896 9 9 0
1895 7 7 0
1894 5 5 0
1892 8 8 0
1889 6 6 0
1883 7 7 0
1882 5 5 0

Top States for Eldred (1970)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
FL 6
100%